There was a time when moviegoers were content to have their theaters serve a coke and popcorn. Then came candy bars and a variety of soft drinks, the ever-present hot dog and, of course, nachos.

Hoping to provide their customers with a complete evening-out experience, movie theaters are adding restaurant-type facilities and are serving adult beverages. The four theaters within the range of Katy residents either now serve alcoholic beverages or have applied for a license to do so.

The AMC Katy Mills 20 recently petitioned the Katy City Council for - and received - permission to serve alcoholic beverages. Cinemark 19 and XD, at Interstate 10 and the Grand Parkway has applied for a liquor license, and both Santikos Palladium AVX Entertainment, 7301 Grand Parkway, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 531 S. Mason Road, already serve alcoholic beverages.

"AMC at Katy Mills came to us, but they didn't really have to," said Katy Mayor Fabol Hughes. "We gave them a one-year variance to see if it works out all right.

"I think it'll be good for their business. It gives them a way to compete. It kind of levels the playing field for them."

Katy City Councilman Jimmy Mendez cast the sole opposing vote on July 22 when officials considered an ordinance to grant a variance to city codes to allow American Multi-Cinema to sell alcoholic beverages in its theaters in the mall.

He said the mall is a hangout for young teens and he didn't think it was the appropriate atmosphere, even though other venues in the mall serve alcohol.

"If you can't sit through an hour-and-a-half movie without a drink, you've got bigger issues," he said, adding that he was told only 10 percent of moviegoers purchase alcoholic beverages, but that's enough to worry him.

According to Ryan Noonan, marketing director for AMC Theatres, the move to serving alcoholic beverages is "something we're doing around the country.

"We already serve alcoholic beverages at our theaters in First Colony, Studio 30 on Houston and Gulfpoint. They've been very popular. We now have about 42 MacGuffin bars; they are named for a script-writing device which drives the plot of a movie or television story."

Because he was unfamiliar with the layout of the Katy Mills theater, Noonan said he wasn't sure where the bar would be placed.

"In some areas concession stands can be used. Sometimes the lobby is large enough to build a bar.

"This is about bringing additional options to our guests," Noonan said. "We want to be able to offer our guests a choice. Around the country, in Texas and in Houston the bars are very popular."

Also applying for a liquor license is Cinemark 19 and XD. Corporate officials did not return telephone calls, but theater general manager Martha Grayson said the proposed bar would be incorporated into its bistro, Studio Eats, which serves a limited menu.

Lacy Smythe Edmondson, events and public relations director for Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, said the chain began in 1997 and shortly after that opened Alamo Drafthouse in Katy. The theater, which serves a limited menu as well as alcoholic beverages, takes a lot of care in preserving the atmosphere, Edmondson said.

"People don't have a lot of time these days," Edmondson said. "It's nice to unwind with a drink as well as a movie. People like to go out for dinner and a movie, and you can do it all in one place."

Edmondson also said the chain hasn't experienced any problems related to serving alcohol.

"Guests do act responsibly when they drink at a movie theater," she said.

Santikos Palladium Theaters, the newest entry in the Katy area, are well-versed in serving alcohol.

"All our theaters serve alcohol. Some just serve beer and wine, but they all serve alcohol," said marketing director Chris Prichard at the theater's corporate office in San Antonio.

"In fact," Prichard said, "it's really not that new. In the 1980s I ran a theater that served beer and wine."

The theater also serves a variety of food items, from tacos and burgers to gelato.

Prichard said Santikos Palladium has also not experienced any unpleasant incidents related to serving beer and wine. Prichard said the theater actually has six bars, including two full-service bars, three beer and wine bars and the most recent, soon to open, a wine bar.

"Our guests enjoy the added amenity," Prichard said. "We'll be providing servers soon who go into the theaters for those 18 years of age and up to take orders. Of course, you still have to be 21 to drink, but we have some theaters which are adult-only. We also have VIP areas in 10 theaters which offer service and are for adults."